Arrangement in a sterilizing coupling

ABSTRACT

Arrangement permitting sterilization during engagement of two coupling components. 
     One coupling component comprises a coupling element (1) and the other a coupling housing (2) capable of connection thereto. The arrangement in accordance with the invention comprises a flexible casing arrangement (6) which surrounds at least one part of the coupling element (1). A disinfectant (9) is contained inside the casing arrangement. The casing arrangement is provided with a seal (6a, 7) to interact with an abutment (8) on the coupling housing (2) during an introductory coupling movement between the components, the casing arrangement (6) being capable of being rolled or pulled along the outside of the coupling element (1) during the progressive engagement between the coupling components until they reach a fully engaged position (FIG. 1).

The present invention relates to an arrangement in a sterilizingcoupling, more precisely to a coupling of the type described andillustrated in the International Application PCT/SE80/00019.

Thus, in conjunction with FIG. 11 of the drawings in said Internationalapplication, a coupling is shown in which a sterilizing action isobtained by utilizing a sealing ring prepared with a disinfectant, whichgives off disinfectant to the coupling component which comes intocontact with the ring during engagement. When using couplings of thistype e.g. in conjunction with dialysis procedures the demands forsterility are extremely great.

The object of the present invention is thus to provide a coupling of thetype referred to in the International Application PCT/SE80/00019, whichis self-sterilizing during use. This object is achieved in accordancewith the present invention in that the coupling has obtained thecharacteristics specified in claim 1.

To illustrate the invention this will be described in more detail in thefollowing with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a vertical section of the coupling in accordance with theinvention before the coupling element is connected to the couplinghousing;

FIG. 2 shows the coupling components according to FIG. 1 during initialengagement;

FIG. 3 shows the coupling in the engaged position which permitsthrough-flow; and

FIG. 4 illustrates the coupling in a position wherein the couplingelement is being disengaged from the coupling housing.

FIG. 1 shows the coupling element 1 and coupling housing 2 in adisengaged position. The coupling housing has a movable slide 3 in whichat least one recess 4 is arranged for accommodating a cover, and thecoupling element 1 has a cover 5 which is received for displacement in agroove. The more detailed design of the coupling is disclosed in theInternational Application PCT/SE80/00019.

The new feature of the coupling in accordance with the present inventionis the arrangement of a casing 6 which is located around the couplingelement 1. The casing 6 is preferably made from an elastic material,e.g. latex rubber, and extends up and over the cover 5. Two ring-shapedelements 7a and 7b with L-shaped cross section are arranged on bothsides of the casing adjacent to the free end 6a of the casing 6. Insteadof the two ring-shaped elements 7a and 7b a reinforcement can be mouldedinto the casing 6, which--similar to the elements 7a and 7b--is pushedin and sealingly rests against the internal peripheral surface of anabutment 8.

Inside the upper section of the casing 6 there is a disinfectant, e.g.spirit, which forms a barrier in respect of bacteria and also has asterilizing effect on the coupling components during their engagement.

FIG. 2 illustrates the coupling components during initial engagement,whereby the disinfectant is present in the cavity 10. By making thecasing 6 elastic, this will expand somewhat during the continuedinsertion of the coupling element 1 into the coupling housing 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates the two coupling components 1 and 2 in an engaged andlocked position, said locking being achieved by displacement of theslide 3, i.e. the coupling permits free passage through both couplingcomponents. However, external locking can also be provided between thecoupling element 1 and the coupling housing 2, i.e. the couplingcomponents should be capable of being locked in an engaged positionwithout a free passage necessarily existing between the couplingcomponents. This facilitates operation of the coupling by preventing thecasing 6 pushing the coupling components apart. Such a locking devicebetween the coupling components can for example comprise a spring lock,etc.

When separating the coupling components (FIG. 4), the disinfectant 9collects in the folded portion 11 of the casing, which means that a thinfilm of disinfectant will be present between the outside wall of thecoupling element 1 and the casing 6 when the coupling element is removedcompletely from the coupling housing 2.

The coupling element 1 with the casing 6 arranged thereon can besupplied complete with liquid disinfectant, which means that a cover 12(FIG. 1) of a suitable type has to be provided at the free end 6a of thecasing 6.

Disinfectant is replenished as required in the casing 6.

I claim:
 1. A coupling comprising a coupling element and a couplinghousing to be connected with said coupling element said coupling housingincluding a socket for receiving one end of the coupling elementtherein, said coupling element having a valve for closing the couplingelement at one end thereof, a thin flexible casing which surrounds atleast a part of the coupling element and projects axially from said oneend thereof, said casing defining together with said coupling elementand said coupling housing a cavity for accommodating a disinfectionagent therein, and means at the projecting end of said casing forsubstantially fluid-tight connection of the casing to one end of saidcoupling housing, said casing allowing said coupling element to beintroduced into said socket while passing through the disinfectingfluid.
 2. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a lockingdevice for locking together the coupling element and the couplinghousing when the coupling element is fully introduced into said socket.3. A coupling as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a cover forclosing said coupling element.